Oct. 20, 2026
Contact: Beth Fults, 517-282-5985 or Keith Murphy, 906-250-1382

Embers may still smolder, but they can’t hide from infrared drone cameras

Most crew activity across the three Rugged Terrain Complex fires in the Upper Peninsula is beginning to wind down, with firefighters focusing on finding residual fire activity and patrolling containment lines as fire behavior remains calm and steady.

The Rugged Terrain Complex is composed of the Ridge, Craig Lake and Black River fires.

“Because firefighters have done such a fantastic job with suppression efforts, we can reduce resources actively working these fires,” said Jennifer Hansen, deputy incident commander with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “We are finding fewer hot spots, which allows us to move into more of a monitoring strategy. Staff continue to check and extinguish the hot spots they can safely reach.”

A continued threat to firefighter safety as well as containment efforts are the trees damaged in the fires, some of which have had their roots burned right out from under them. Those trees have been falling across containment lines, interrupting necessary access for firefighters to complete remaining suppression efforts.

Ongoing suppression work Read more

Oct. 19, 2026
Contact: Kerry Heckman, 517-643-1256 or Beth Fults, 517-282-5985

With 50% of the Ridge Fire contained, residents can breathe a little easier

An updated map shows the “Ready, Set, Go!” management action areas on the Ridge Fire near Marquette.

After a week of living under the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol for potential evacuations initiated in response to the Ridge Fire, located 10 miles northwest of Marquette, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Marquette County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management have lifted the “Ready” status for residents along North Basin Drive.

The recent rain and cooler weather provided an opportunity for firefighters to make great progress establishing containment lines to prevent the fire from spreading toward the residential structures. Additionally, as more accurate data was gathered, including a drone flight over the Ridge Fire that collected infrared data to pinpoint the fire hot spots, incident management was able to reassess the management access points for each stage of the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol. This analysis, along with fire behavior predictions for the coming days, helped to inform the decision to lift the “Ready” status.

“Thanks to the hard work of the fire crews out on the line and the information that we were able to gather through various tools like the infrared drone flight, we’re happy to be able to lift the ‘Ready’ status for area residents,” said Nate Stearns, Rugged Terrain Complex incident commander. “Although we do not anticipate the need to reactivate the evacuation protocol, we will continue to monitor the fire activity along each of the management action points and will act if necessary. Public and firefighter safety are our top priorities.” Read more

Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is now managing the three major U.P. wildfires – Ridge Fire, Craig Lake Fire and Black River Fire – as the Rugged Terrain Complex. One incident management team managing all three fires, known as a “complex,” allows for better coordination, logistical support, more streamlined communication and better efficiency.

Safety of the public and firefighters is the top priority for the Rugged Terrain Complex. Due to the significant hazards posed by falling trees and the sustained high winds within the area of all three fires on the Complex, fire crews spent Friday focusing on rehabbing equipment and patrolling. With a substantial amount of rain being received across the entire Rugged Lake Complex, fire behavior remained low with no fire spread anticipated.

Ridge Fire

The Ridge Fire is now estimated to be 466 acres and 40% contained. The Ridge Fire is located 10 miles northwest of Marquette and north of the Dead River Basin and west of County Road 510. The Ridge Fire was spotted by a DNR pilot Oct. 9; the cause of that fire remains under investigation.

The status of the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol for residents along North Basin Drive remains at a “Ready” status. Residents are encouraged to continue to be prepared in case conditions change. The Noquemanon Trail system west of the trailhead on County Road 510 remains closed.

Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Craig Lake Fire

The Craig Lake Fire, which is located at the north end of Craig Lake State Park and does encompass some of the northern reaches of the park, is now estimated at 606 acres and is 70% contained. The fire, caused by a lightning strike, was detected by a DNR pilot Oct. 8.

To ensure the safety of Craig Lake State Park visitors, and due to ongoing wildfire suppression operations, the DNR has temporarily closed the park north of Craig Lake proper and the Teddy Lake Yurt through the end of October.

The North Country Trail within Craig Lake State Park has also been closed due to ongoing fire suppression operations.

The remainder of Craig Lake State Park is open to the public.

Black River Fire

The 350-acre Black River Fire, located 4 miles south of Wakefield, is currently 70% contained. It was detected Oct. 11 and was initially managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The DNR took over management of the fire Oct. 13, and the cause is still under investigation. There are currently no road or trail closures associated with this fire, but the public is reminded to please avoid the area for their safety and to avoid interfering in fire suppression operations.

Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Temporary Flight Restriction

A temporary flight restriction remains in place over both the Ridge Fire and the Craig Lake Fire for a 5-nautical-mile radius and below 3,500 feet. The public is asked to please avoid the area around both fires so that suppression efforts are not interrupted. Drones are not permitted in the fire area as they will bring air operations to a halt.

Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Fire Response

The DNR had a total of 97 firefighters assigned to the Rugged Terrain Complex on Friday. A DNR Incident Management Team is managing the complex.

Additional support is being provided by U.S. Forest Service, Marquette National Weather Service, Michigan State Police, Marquette County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management, Baraga County Emergency Management, Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office, Gogebic County Emergency Management, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Bay Mills Indian Community, Negaunee Township, Michigamme-Spurr Fire Department, Bessemer Township Fire Department, Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department, Lyme Timber Great Lakes and DNR Law Enforcement Division.

As always, the DNR reminds people to check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit before planning to burn yard debris or start a campfire, and to have an accessible water source nearby. For more fire safety tips, visit Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires.

Contact: Kerry Heckman, 517-643-1256 or Beth Fults, 517-282-5985

Flames and thick, gray smoke from the Black River Fire fill the landscape Saturday.

Like most things, wildfires don’t always look like they do in the movies. Even at hundreds of acres each (just over 1,400 acres combined), the three fires that make up the Rugged Terrain Complex aren’t currently burning through the trees of the Upper Peninsula forests. They are burning up to 2 feet down in the duff, a layer of organic material lying under freshly fallen leaves and twigs and above the bare mineral soil.

“Even with the accumulation of rain over the past couple of days, it won’t make up for the several months there has been a moisture deficit and severe drought in the U.P.,” said Nate Stearns, Rugged Terrain Complex incident commander with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Drought conditions in the U.P. range from severe to exceptional. We were hitting levels that we haven’t seen in 20 or 30 years, and they made conditions perfect for wildfires.”

The rain alone will not extinguish fires that are burning so deep in the duff layer. DNR firefighters are using leaf blowers, hand tools, water pumps and larger equipment such as tractor plows and dozers in their suppression efforts. The priority is to establish containment lines that are scraped down to the bare mineral soil to prevent the fire from spreading.

Ridge Fire

The Ridge Fire is now estimated to be 466 acres and 40% contained. Read more

Oct. 16, 2026
Contact: Kerry Heckman, 517-643-1256 or Patrick Ertel, 989-370-1163

Fire crews spent Friday focusing on rehabbing equipment and patrolling

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is now managing the three major U.P. wildfires – Ridge Fire, Craig Lake Fire and Black River Fire – as the Rugged Terrain Complex. One incident management team managing all three fires, known as a “complex,” allows for better coordination, logistical support, more streamlined communication and better efficiency.

Safety of the public and firefighters is the top priority for the Rugged Terrain Complex. Due to the significant hazards posed by falling trees and the sustained high winds within the area of all three fires on the Complex, fire crews spent Friday focusing on rehabbing equipment and patrolling. With a substantial amount of rain being received across the entire Rugged Lake Complex, fire behavior remained low with no fire spread anticipated.

Ridge Fire

The Ridge Fire is now estimated to be 466 acres and 40% contained. The Ridge Fire is located 10 miles northwest of Marquette and north of the Dead River Basin and west of County Road 510. The Ridge Fire was spotted by a DNR pilot Oct. 9; the cause of that fire remains under investigation.

The status of the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol for residents along North Basin Drive remains at a “Ready” status. Residents are encouraged to continue to be prepared in case conditions change. The Noquemanon Trail system west of the trailhead on County Road 510 remains closed.

Craig Lake Fire The Craig Lake Fire, which is located at the north end of Craig Lake State Park and does encompass some of the northern reaches of the park, is now estimated at 606 acres and is 70% contained. The fire, caused by a lightning strike, was detected by a DNR pilot Oct. 8. Read more

Oct. 14, 2026

Contact: Cody Norton, 906-202-3023 or Mark Boersen, 989-275-5151, ext. 2722730

While you’re enjoying time outdoors this fall and winter, keep an eye open for black bear dens. Reporting den locations to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is a simple yet effective way to support bear management programs.

Depending on their location in the state, bears typically enter dens in October and November. They tend to select dens in locations that provide shelter from the elements, which can include areas with dense vegetation, rock crevices, fallen trees or excavated holes. Bear dens may look like brush piles covered in snow or excavated holes in the ground, both having an icy opening to vent fresh air.

Michigan is home to an estimated 12,862 black bears: 11,040 in the Upper Peninsula and 1,822 in the northern Lower Peninsula.

You spotted a den! What’s next? Read more

A woman was injured by a moose earlier this month on private land near McAllister.

On Oct. 3, the woman was walking her dogs near her home when she encountered a cow moose. The moose reportedly charged and injured the woman, who was later taken to Madison Valley Medical Center for injuries that were significant but fortunately not life threatening.

Game wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks received a report the same day and visited the scene of the incident. They searched the area but did not locate a moose.

Based on the woman’s account, the moose was likely acting defensively in the encounter. No further management action from FWP is planned. Read more

Contact: Kerry Heckman, 517-643-1256

Looking west/northwest along the eastern flank of the Ridge Fire Monday afternoon.

Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity helped to calm fire activity on both the Ridge Fire and Craig Lake Fire in Marquette and Baraga counties Monday. DNR firefighters took advantage of the assistance from the weather and were able to make progress on containment efforts on both fires.

The Ridge Fire, located 10 miles northwest of Marquette and north of the Dead River Basin, is now estimated to be 450 acres and 20% contained. The very rugged terrain that the fire is burning in presents significant challenges to suppression efforts. Firefighters are focusing on gaining access to areas where they can directly attack the fire, as well as establishing containment lines where they can gain access with equipment. The cooperation of local landowners working with DNR firefighters to provide local knowledge of the landscape has been immensely helpful in building firefighter knowledge of the area, assisting in suppression efforts.

The calmer fire activity and progress made by firefighters resulted in the lifting of the evacuation order for the residents along County Road 510 who were previously evacuated. The status of the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol for residents along North Basin Drive was also shifted back to “Ready” status. Residents are encouraged to continue to be prepared in case conditions change. The Noquemanon Trail system west of the trailhead on County Road 510 remains closed.

The Craig Lake Fire north of Craig Lake State Park is now estimated to be 400 acres and 25% contained. In addition to burning in extremely rugged terrain, this fire is also in a very remote area, making access very challenging for firefighters. Portions of the fire area are only accessible on foot without the possibility of gaining access with fire equipment. Firefighters are using hand tools to establish containment lines where they are able to gain access.

A shift in direction to a north wind has resulted in heavy wildfire smoke blanketing communities and the region south of both fires. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued an air quality alert for Baraga, Marquette, Iron, Dickinson and Menominee counties, forecasting both “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” and “Unhealthy” levels of pollution. It is recommended to watch for new or worsening symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath and reduce long or intense outdoor activities. View the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services wildfire smoke fact sheet to learn more about protecting indoor air during wildfire smoke events.

A temporary flight restriction, or TFR, remains in place over both the Ridge Fire and Craig Lake Fire for a 5-nautical-mile radius and below 3,500 feet. The public is asked to please avoid the area around both fires so that suppression efforts are not interrupted. Drones are not permitted in the fire area as they will bring air operations to a halt.

“We’re grateful for the changing weather conditions that have allowed us to make some containment progress on both fires,” said Nate Stearns, DNR incident commander. “Public safety and firefighter safety remain our top priority.” Read more

Contact: Kerry Heckman, 517-643-1256

DNR pilot photo of the Ridge Fire Sunday afternoon.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources firefighters and local partners are working to contain two wildfires in Marquette and Baraga counties. Fire danger is at very high levels today due to drought conditions, warm temperatures and strong winds.

The Ridge Fire, estimated at approximately 256 acres, is burning approximately 10 miles northwest of Marquette between County Road 510 and North Basin Drive. The fire is located in very rugged, difficult terrain, making suppression efforts from firefighters on the ground very challenging. Two Fire Boss aircraft – which scoop up water to drop on the fire – from Minnesota and a Michigan State Police Aviation Type 2 helicopter are assisting with fire suppression efforts today. In addition, 40 DNR firefighters are on the ground working to establish dozer line where they can in an effort to establish containment lines. Negaunee Township Fire Department is also assisting.

Three residences on County Road 510 have been evacuated due to the Ridge Fire. Marquette County Sheriff’s Office has established an evacuation center at Negaunee Township Hall, located at 42 East State Hwy M-35 in Negaunee. The Red Cross will be assisting evacuees and their pets at this location. Officials have initiated the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol for residents located along North Basin Drive. The current status is now at “Set,” which means residents in this area are encouraged to do the following:

• Monitor local media and emergency alerts.
• Load vehicles with emergency bags and valuables.
• Be ready to leave – conditions can change quickly so be alert and ready to act.

Read more

Contact: Marquette Incident Coordination Center, 906-249-1497

Water-scooping planes have been called in from Minnesota to help fight a remote wildfire north of Craig Lake in Baraga County.

The fire likely began as two separate lightning strike fires, which then merged together, said Paul Rogers, a fire prevention specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The fires were discovered around 2:45 p.m. Thursday.

The fire grew to 16 acres by Thursday night and has remained roughly the same size throughout the day today.

A Michigan State Police helicopter has been working the fire area, scooping water into a collapsible canvas device known as a “Bambi Bucket.”

The two planes from Hibbing, Minnesota arrived this afternoon and are lifting water out of Lake Michigamme to dump on the fire. The planes were expected to return to Minnesota later today.

DNR firefighters are on the rugged, remote fire scene. Additional personnel from Craig Lake State Park have been assisting fire crews by opening gates for better firefighter access to the blaze.

“We’re continuing to get resources trying to get hand crews in there and get access through old logging roads into the site,” Rogers said. “We are trying to get as much containment on it today as we can with the high winds that are expected tomorrow.”

Rogers asked people to avoid the area, which is popular for fall color. He also asked people to keep personal drones on the ground.

“Fire suppression aircraft can’t fly when drones are present,” he said.

For more information on firefighting in Michigan visit Michigan.gov/FireManagement.